Chemistry: A Molecular Approach Chapter 4 Chemical Quantities and Aqueous Reactions

Chemistry: A Molecular Approach Chapter 4 Chemical Quantities and Aqueous Reactions

Roy Kennedy Massachusetts Bay Community College Wellesley Hills, MA

Global Warming

• Scientists have measured an average 0.6 °C rise in atmospheric temperature since 1860
• During the same period atmospheric CO2 levels have risen 25%
• Are the two trends causal?

• One source of CO2 is the combustion reactions of fossil fuels we use to get energy
• Another source of CO2 is volcanic action
• How can we judge whether global warming is natural or due to our use of fossil fuels?